Obituaries

Harry E. Purdy
April 4, 1898-Sept. 28, 1948

HARRY E. PURDY, 50

    BUCHANAN, Sept. 29--Harry E. Purdy, 50, died suddenly at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday of a heart attack suffered at his home four miles southwest of Buchanan.
    He was born April 4, 1898 in Bourbon, Ind., and came to Buchanan five years ago.  Prior to that time [he] was a foreman at the Christman Construction company, of South Bend.
    On Dec. 26, 1922, he married Grace Maddron in Goshen, Ind.  Surviving are the widow and one sister, Mrs. Clara Poelher, of South Bend.  The Rev. James W. Greenwood, pastor of the Church of Christ, will conduct funeral services at 4 p.m. Friday at the Swem funeral home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.  (Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Sgt. Donald W. Webber
October 20, 1930-September 25, 1950

  Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. at the Kiger funeral home for Sgt. Donald W. Webber, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis H. Webber of rural route three.  He was killed in action in Korea on Sept. 25, 1950.

   Sgt. Webber was born in Niles on Oct. 20, 1930.  He attended grammer [sic] school in Sumnerville and high school in Dowagiac.  He enlisted in the army in 1948.

    Surviving besides his parents are his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Webber and Mrs. Myrtle Canfield, all of Niles; two[sic*] and six sisters, Carol, Mary, Beverly, Grace, Ruth and Francis, all at home.
    Full military rites will be handled by the VFW of Dowagiac, and the burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery.

*Obit as published omits words "brothers, Kenneth and Robert"

 (Niles Daily Star, Friday, Sept. 14, 1951, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

William B. Beeson
Died December 23, 1872

    Our citizens were startled on Monday morning last with the report that William B. Beeson, one of our oldest settlers and the oldest merchant in this city, was in a dying condition.  The writer of this hastened to his residence and found the report too true.  Mr. Beeson expired at 15 minutes past 9 o'clock, on Monday morning, the 23d, at the age of 63 years.  To his numerous friends it will be interesting to know that he expired as quietly and as easily as a child falls to sleep in its mother's arms.  There were present his faithful wife, his sister, Mrs.  R.P. Barker, two attending physicians, Drs. Richardson and Mead, his two sons, and an old friend.  He was conscious until the last, and said to his physicians--"I am passing off very quietly."  The last visit Mr. Beeson made to his store was on Friday previous to his death, where he was taken with a severe chill and was conveyed home.  A furious fever followed the chill, congestion set in rapidly, and he sank away so quietly that but few knew of his serious illness.
    Mr. Beeson came to this city in June, 1831, and has remained here most of this time since, and carried on a very heavy mercantile business.  His store has long been the home of the old settler as well as hundreds of others.  If a man wanted accommodation, his heart could hardly refuse. A new comer, perhaps just opening a farm, and was poor, he would seek out Mr. Beeson, who seldom failed to give him credit.  No man among us will be missed more.  Always generous, always accommodating, the farmers, the mechanics, and all will miss him, and long mourn his loss.  In all public enterprises he was ever ready to contribute to the utmost extent of his abilities.  He was followed to the grave on Thursday last by a large concourse of citizens.

(Source: Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 28, 1872, page 3, col. 2; Microfilm Niles District Library)

Lillian Doane Crofoot

Died November 17, 1929

    Mrs. Lillian Doane Crofoot, widow of Charles W. Crofoot, who died last April, and who was the last of the family of William H. Doane, Howard township pioneer, died on Sunday morning at her home in South Bend.  Harold Doane, Mrs. Eugene Huntly and Mrs. Florence Rose, of Niles, are nephew and neices[sic] of the decesed.  While the funral[sic] plans are not completed, the services will be held tomorrow afternoon in South Band[sic].  The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 18, 1929, page 4, col. 2; microfilm Niles District Library)

Albert Jasper Mitchell
April 18, 1853-November 17, 1929

    Funeral services for Alfred[sic] Jasper Mitchell, of Buchanan, who died on Sunday afternoon about 4:30 a few hours after he had been brought to Pawating hospital from Buchanan, will be held at 2 o'clock on Tuesday in the Troost and Augustine chapel.  The Rev. William W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery where Mrs. Mitchell who died three years ago is buried.  He was born on April 15, 1853. He is survived by seven children, four brothers and three sisters.  Mr. Mitchell was stricken with illness about noon on Sunday.

(Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 18, 1929, page 4, col. 2; Microfilm Niles District Library)

Hettie M. Horn
1844-1902

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 7, 1902, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    After a week's serious illness Mrs. O.P. Horn Passed pearcefully away this afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Geltmacher, who were among the most prominent of the early pioneer residents of this place.  Mrs. Horn was born in Niles 58 years ago.  In 1865 she was married to the late Dr. O.P. Horn, who was for many years a highly respected resident of this place.  To Dr. and Mrs. Horn one child was born, Gordon, who passed away several years ago.
    Mrs. Horn is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Pammie L. Griffith, of this city, and Mrs. Lizzie White, of Grand Rapids.  She also had two nephews, W.G. Griffith of NIles, and Dr. Paul G. White of Grand Rapids.
    Mrs. Horn was a member of the Episcopal church, from which place the funeral will occur on Thursday at an hour as yet to be determined upon.
    The deceased was the possessor of many lovable qualities, and her kindly ways made for her many friends, who will deeply deplore her demise.  She was a highly accomplished lady and for many years took an important part in social affairs. 

Also from  Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 8, 1902, page 3, col. 3, Microfilm Niles District Library

   The funeral of the late Mrs. O.P. Horn will take place from the home on south Third street on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. R.H. F. Gairdner, former pastor of Trinity Episcopal church, and now of Grand Rapids, officiating, assisted by Rev. C.J. DeCoux.  Among those from out of town who have arrived to attend the funeral, are Mrs. Eliza Ford of Berrien Springs; Mr. and Mrs. Warren Griffith of Albion; Dr. Paul White and Mrs. Ralph White of Grand Rapids. 

    Mrs. O.P. Horn, one of the oldest and best known residents of Niles, died this afternoon at 2 o'clock at her residence on South Third street.  The cause of her death was a paralytic stroke which she experienced a week ago Sunday night, though for some time she has been a sufferer from Bright's disease.
    Mrs. Horn was a daughter of the late J. Geltmacher and was born in Niles in 1844, and resided continuously here.  Shorly after the close of the civil war she was united in marriage to Dr. O.P. Horn and the union resulted in one son Gordon, who died in 1891.  Dr. Horn died in 1895.  The deceased leaves two sisters, Mrs. Charles Griffith of his city and Mrs. White of Grand Rapids, and two nephews, Warren Griffith and Dr. Paul G. WHite.
    Mrs. Horn was one of the most prominent ladies in Niles and her acquaintenance was very extended.  She was generous and kind and her sweet disposition endeared her in the hearts of all her friiends.
    The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made. 

Berrien Springs Era, Thursday, July 10, 1902, page 1, col. 6;Niles District Library microfilm

    Mrs. Hettie M. Horn of Niles died Monday and is buried today.  She was a widow of the late Dr. O.P. Horn who was for many years the owner and publisher of the Niles Democrat.  Her son, an only child, died more than ten yers ago and her husand and her mother died in 1895.  Two sisters survive her.  Mrs. E.A. Ford, a friend from childhood, is in attendance upon her funeral.  She had other friends in this place who will deeply regret her her death. Mrs. Horn was born in Niles 58 years ago and nearly all her life had been passed in that town.